EU, Belgium seeking solution to Canada trade deal stalemate

Belgium's foreign minister Didier Reynders, left, speaks with EU Council High representative Federica Mogherini during a meeting of EU foreign ministers at the EU Council building in Luxembourg, Monday, Oct. 17, 2016. European Union foreign ministers debated Monday whether to extend sanctions against the Syrian regime as political efforts to secure a cease-fire and access for humanitarian aid falter. (AP Photo/Olivier Matthys) (The Associated Press)

LUXEMBOURG – Talks to convince a small Belgian region to back a wide-ranging trade deal between the 28-nation European Union and Canada could spill over in this week's EU summit of leaders.

The fate of the deal hangs on the francophone region of Wallonia, which has a population of only 3.5 million people.

Under EU rules, trade deals require the support of all 28 members. The same applies for Belgium's six regional governments.

Belgian Foreign Minister Didier Reynders says Monday that a deal could emerge "tomorrow." If not, one could emerge at the summit, allowing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to go to Brussels on Oct. 27 to sign the agreement.

The main discussion points at this week's summit, which starts Thursday, is Britain's exit from the EU and relations with Russia.